On June 13, CNN reported that the United States has deployed the M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from Jordan to a U.S.-Coalition training base at Al-Tanf in southern Syria. There are conflicting reports from defense officials about whether the HIMARS deployment is in response to the deployment of pro-regime artillery in the area....
According to a report published on June 8, the news agency received and confirmed a White House document detailing the $110 billion U.S.-Saudi arms proposal made on May 20. The document includes $13.5 billion for seven THAAD batteries, with an estimated delivery time of 2023-2026. The proposal also includes $6.65 billion for enhancements to Saudi’s Patriot...
On June 8, North Korea test-fired four missiles believed to be short-range, antiship cruise missiles. The launch took place from Wonsan, Gangwon Province, on the country’s east coast. According to the South Korean military, the test missiles flew about 200 km before falling in the East Sea. Analysts note that this range is notably longer...
After a successful Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system intercept on May 30, the Pentagon has reportedly upgraded its assessment of the United States’ ability to defend the United States against ICBMs, according to a June 6 memo. Prior DOD assessments had characterized GMD as providing a “limited” defense capability, but the Pentagon now assesses that it...
On June 7, South Korean president Moon Jae-in suspended further deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea. The move comes after revelations the South Korean Ministry of Defense failed to report to President Moon’s government the deployment of four additional THAAD launchers to the country beyond the two...
The United States‘ Missile Defense Agency is accelerating the development of an interceptor designed to counter several incoming warheads or decoys simultaneously. The most recent Department of Defense budget request seeks $259 million for the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program for technology risk reduction and product development and speeds up its projected completion by five...
On June 3, Russia announced it had successfully tested its hypersonic missile, Zircon. Analysts report that the Zircon missile can fly at 7,400 km/hr, or six-times the speed of sound. Russian news agencies emphasized the missile’s ability to to counter Western missile defense systems, arguing that the Zircon “makes Western defenses obsolete.” Russian sources indicate...
On May 27, the state-owned China Daily reported that China had developed a “new type of ultrafast anti-missile interceptor.” China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), the country’s major developer of air defense systems, was in charge of the project. Although CASIC did not provide specifics on the interceptors’ capabilities, experts said the descriptions indicate its...
On June 1, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $413.8 million contract for the JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range). Lockheed Martin will provide 360 missiles, as well as related data, tooling, and test equipment. The contract is expected to be completed by 31 August 31, 2020. The JASSM-ER is a conventional,...
On June 2, India successfully test-fired its Prithvi-II ballistic missile from Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) off the Odisha coast in East India. “As part of user training exercises, the test was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army with logistics support from DRDO. The missile used for the test was...
